Astonishing Recording...

I haven't listened to all that many records released this year. Only a handful. And, hell, this year from hell, is far from over. We've only made it to July. These next few months could be really long months. I have a feeling we are in for some surprises along the way, but, no matter, I am willing to declare Lucinda Williams' latest record, "Good Souls Better than Angels" a masterpiece, a major artistic statement from one of our greatest musical souls. The record channels the zeitgeist of 2020. Definitively.

It is an overwhelmingly powerful record. So raw and it kicks serious ass (see previous post for first impressions). I have now listened to it a few times, on headphones, on our stereo with the big speakers in the living room. It is the real deal. Head-turning. Punches you in the gut. The band goes toe to toe with Lucinda and she holds nothing back. The drummer, Butch Norton and the guitar player, Stuart Mathis really bring it. So much fire and power and nuance and they make a big, bold, indelible impression.  Lucinda is so engaged and pissed off at the current state of the nation. Her song, "Man Without A Soul" takes a whack at describing someone we all know, someone we all hope will be banished from our lives in November. It's a great track. Reminds me of that phrase: "Anger is an Energy." Yes. The key is to be able to channel that anger, that rage. Lucinda does the good work, for sure. Every track on this record shimmers with intelligence, poetry and fire. Astonishing.

"Man Without A Soul"

You are a man without truth

A man of greed, a man of hate

A man of envy and doubt

You're a man without a soul

All the money in the world

Will never fill that hole

You're a man bought and sold

You're a man without a soul

You bring nothing good to this world

Beyond a web of cheating and stealing

You hide behind your wall of lies

But it's coming down, yeah, it's coming down

You're a man without shame

Without dignity and grace

No way to save face

You're a man without a soul

How do you think this story ends

It's not a matter of how

It's just a matter of when

Cause it's coming down, yeah it's coming down

There's a darkness all around you

To cover all you're hiding

There's no light in your eyes

You're a man without a soul

Now the exits will be closing

A sad life will be exposed

No dealer and no deals

Cause you're a man without a soul

How do you think this story ends

It's not a matter of how

It's just a matter of when

Cause it's coming down, yeah it's coming down

Yeah, it's coming down

Yeah, it's coming down

Yeah, it's coming down

Yeah, it's coming down

Yeah, it's coming down

Yeah, it's coming down

Yeah, it's coming down

Lucinda Williams